WATERLOO -- Several years of arguing and debating until the City Council approved a dog park location was only half the battle for supporters. Now they have to raise the money to pay for it.

Pat Bowlsby said she and her committee of fellow dog owners have made little ground on fundraising and are several thousand dollars short of their mark.

"We're starting to raise money for the park, and right now our primary focus is setting up the fence around the area," said Bowlsby.

The fence perimeter and center divider, which will separate big dogs from little dogs will cost approximately $25,000, and Bowlsby expects the entire park to run around $50,000. Besides the fence, the group is looking to install a drinking fountain, a shelter for owners to sit and relax and restrooms.

Thus far, they've managed to gather only $200-$300.

Bowlsby, Glynis Worthington, Sue Koontz, John DeLorbe, Kris Hanfelt and Donna Murdock make up the committee that meets weekly to come up with ideas to raise money for the project.

Proponents for the park have faced opposition throughout the process, from looking for a large, safe location, to dealing with complaints from neighbors in the area. The dog park will be on a city lot where Campbell and Ansborough avenues intersect.

The committee had a float in last Saturday's My Waterloo Days parade which informed the public how they could donate to the cause. Mary Ann Burk, of the Community Foundation, has teamed up with the group and she will handle all of the proceeds that come in.

Bowlsby and the rest of her group have come up with a few ways to get the funds together but they haven't put any into action yet.

Some ideas include collection jars in local veterinary offices, a 5K race with the dogs, a contest open to the public to name the park or a separate donation of $20,000 to have naming rights to the park. Whatever they decide, Bowlsby doesn't expect the result to get the park open until 2008.

"To be realistic, it will probably open next spring. I'd like it to be this fall, but that is probably not going to happen," Bowlsby said.

Bowlsby is not surprised that donations are slow.

"I've lived in the area for most of my life, and one thing I've noticed is that Waterloo drags its feet on issues they deem non-necessities," said Bowlsby. "But I think it's things like this that make it nice to live here."

Contact Taylor Bern at (319) 291-1424 or taylor.bern@wcfcourier.com.